Emerald | World Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development | Table of Contents

Technological readiness in the United Arab Emirates towards global competitiveness

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Ibrahim M. Abdalla Alfaki, Allam Ahmed) — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract

Purpose – This paper aims to assess and evaluate the United Arab Emirates’ performance in terms of global competitiveness and technological readiness. This paper aims to critically examine the impact of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and education on improving the technological readiness in UAE. Design/methodology/approach – A situational analysis and a comparative approach were exploited to describe the UAE's position in terms of global competitiveness, highlighting weaknesses, strengths and opportunities. Related discussions were supported by data from several international sources. The country's worldwide performance was particularly matched against that of the other members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) together with few more Asian transformation economies. Findings – Apparently, the UAE has made important progress in the Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) in the last six years particularly at the macro-economic environment and quality of infrastructure levels, notably the ICT sector. Empowering the nation with education and ICTs could increase productivity and competitiveness of UAE worldwide. However, the county is still lagging behind most transformation economies and facing considerable challenges with regards to technological readiness. This hurdle impeded the country's ability to absorb, adapt and create new technology and knowledge. As a result, the country's economy is experiencing a negative trade balance in foreign technology transfer. The comparative and situational analysis methodology adopted in the context concluded several lessons and policy remarks. Originality/value – Using the most updated data, this exercise stems from the country's need to examine the current status, a necessary step for realization of new prospects and adoption and application of future policies and programs.

Impact of the relationship between transformational and traditional leadership styles on Iran's automobile industry job satisfaction

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract

Purpose – This study aims to look into the ways in which leadership styles including transformational and traditional (independent variable) affect employee job satisfaction (dependent variable), focusing on six production lines in the Iranian automobile industry. Design/methodology/approach – The study focused solely on the production line workers and used questionnaires to obtain the relevant data. Implementation of the questionnaires was done using the proportional stratified random sampling method, whereby questionnaires were distributed to the target population over the period June to August 2010. Of the 600 questionnaires distributed 540 were returned completed. Findings – The survey results showed the dominant leadership style practiced in the industry to be the transformational styles. The employees reported moderate satisfaction with their jobs. The findings revealed that different employee job satisfaction components were impacted in different ways depending on the leadership style. Originality/value – Overall it was shown that job satisfaction factors were strongly predicted by the Individualized consideration factor.

Mapping entrepreneurship ecosystem of Saudi Arabia

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Muhammad Rahatullah Khan) — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to critically review the existing initiatives of Saudi Arabia for entrepreneurship growth. It also identifies potential for viable interventions to trigger entrepreneurship growth that reflects in Saudi Arabia's economic development process. Design/methodology/approach – Cross sectional basic study using primary and secondary resources is adopted to explore the initiatives and understand entrepreneurship growth ecosystem. Findings – Ecosystem is not complete and whatever available is in infancy stage. Challenges also remain for the effective intervention at strategic, institutional and enterprise levels in order to streamline and trigger the entrepreneurship development. However, there exist huge opportunities and the Government reforms are happening. Research limitations/implications – Limited access to resources in Saudi Arabia including to the leadership in different governmental and private sector organizations made the task challenging. In some cases the websites are in Arabic and for some these do not exist. Practical implications – Findings identify numerous challenges that lie ahead if the government were to vie for entrepreneurship as a tool of SME and economic growth. It identifies the areas of governmental interventions required with specific recommendations. Originality/value – The paper is built upon the contemporary scenario of entrepreneurship growth in the Kingdom. It comprises derived research based on country analysis. It is original in the sense that the research is based on the facts of the ground and explores and implies the results.

Evaluating the impact of information security on enhancing the business decision-making process

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Akram Jalal-Karim) — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract

Purpose – In today's digital economy, information secrecy is one of the essential apprehensions for businesses. Because of the uncertainty and multiple interpretations, most of the reviewed literature regarding business decision-making revealed that decisions tend to be more fluid, inaccurate, and informal. Recently, the number of organizations that have disclosed their information has been raised. The aim of this research is to theorize and empirically measure the effects of information disclosure on the accuracy of business decision-making. Design/methodology/approach – This study presents a proposed conceptual framework, which assists businesses in evaluating the extent to which information secrecy has a substantial effect on decision-making accuracy. The primary research purpose is explanatory and the conceptual framework was empirically tested to measure the effects of the proposed five independent variables: information security rules and regulations, secured internal and external business communication, security consciousness management support, business security culture, and superior deterrent efforts on efficient information security, the consequences of which on accurate decision-making processes are considered a dependent variable. Findings – The results of this study, which are based on the use of the proposed conceptual framework, indicate that information security has a substantial effect on generating accurate, effective and efficient business decisions. Information security could undermine decision accuracy when information collected has little effect on the purpose and time of decisions. Originality/value – The findings of this study present some insights into the strategic choices of any organizations and, to improve the efficiency of the decisions taken, they must improve the level and efficiency of information secrecy.

Leveraging enterprise risk management (ERM) for boosting competitive business advantages in Bahrain

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Akram Jalal-Karim) — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract

Purpose – Recently, the energetic and enormously competitive business environment has seen a stage of failure, from natural disasters to business crisis. Global competition and economic instability leads to errors, to unsuccessful business decisions, to defective performance and, finally, to failure. Conversely, effective anticipation of emerging risks can yield competitive advantage. The aim of this paper is to measure a proposed conceptual research model, based on various existing ERM frameworks. Design/methodology/approach – The current study measures a proposed conceptual research model, based on various existing ERM frameworks, which provides a wide range of consulting services that assist companies in boosting competitive business advantage using enhanced risk response capabilities. Due to the nature of the current study and its hypothesis, the primary research purpose is, thus, explanatory. This model was empirically tested to measure the five proposed variables: identifying risks, estimating risks, treating risks, monitoring and communication, which are considered as independent variables that affect boosting competitive business advantage, which is considered as dependent variable. Findings – The analytical results show that there is a highly significant relationship between all identified factors of the independent variables and the boosting competitive business advantage. It also indicates that, overall, the model applied is significantly good enough in predicting the successful preparedness for any potential risk. Originality/value – Enterprise risk management (ERM) is a new management notion for rapidly enhancing the business plan globally. Its relevancy and popularity as a management technique are abetted by the changing business practices and burgeoning regulatory requirements of risk management. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the extent to which public listed companies (PLCs) in Bahrain have adopted ERM programmes and, then, to evaluate the significance of these programmes in adding distinctive competitiveness for these firms.